The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of four endodontic chelating agents, followed by 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), as final irrigation regimens on organic and inorganic components of human root dentin. Sixty mandibular incisors were prepared and randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): QMiX, 1% peracetic acid (PA), 17% EDTA, 10% citric acid (CA), 2.5% NaOCl (solution control) and distilled water (DW-negative control). After irrigation with the chelating agents, a final flush was performed with 2...

The famous lacquer wares excavated from the Jiuliandun Tombs of the middle and late Warring States period (476-221 BC) were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy/energy as well as dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS), Raman spectroscopy (RS), optical microscopy (OM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed a multilayer structure in the lacquer film, including a Qihui layer (a layer made of lacquer and various plasters), undercoat layer (or finishing coat) and colored paint layer mixed with various inorganic particles, such as quartz (SiO2 ) and hydroxyapatite [Ca5 (PO4 )3 (OH)], as fillers in the Qihui layers or orpiment (As2 S3 ) and cinnabar (HgS), which were used as a yellow or red pigment, respectively...

Nowadays, infertility is no longer considered as an unsolvable disorder due to progresses in germ cells derived from stem lineage with diverse origins. Technical and ethical challenges push researchers to investigate various tissue sources to approach more efficient gametes. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the efficacy of a combined medium, retinoic acid (RA) together with Bone Morphogenic Protein-4 (BMP4), on differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMMSCs) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into germ cells...

The purpose of this work is to study the dependence of AFM-data reliability on scanning rate. The three-dimensional (3D) surface topography of the samples with different micro-motifs is investigated. The analysis of surface metrics for estimation of artifacts from inappropriate scanning rate is presented. Fractal analysis was done by cube counting method and evaluation of statistical metrics was carrying out on the basis of AFM-data. Combination of quantitate parameters is also presented in graphs for every measurement...

Site-specific accumulation of flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium was determined by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) and the localization of catechins also was observed via vanillin-HCl staining under the conventional optical microscope. The contents of five flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium from different harvest times and growth parts were measured using HPLC method. LSCM observation showed that flavonoids are accumulated in cuticle of epidermal cells and vessel walls, especially in protoplasts and nucleolus of the collenchyma cells and the epidermal cells...

For the long-term success of implants, it is necessary to achieve a direct contact between the implant and the subjacent bone. To avoid bacterial penetration that could adversely affect the initial wound healing as well as the long-term behavior of the implants, an early tissue barrier must form that is able to protect the biological peri-implant structures. Given the need of an effective tissue early barrier around dental implants, the present study evaluated, in vitro, the influence of physical and chemical characteristics of two implant abutment surfaces on gingival epithelial cells (OBA-9) adhesion...

This study compared several irrigation protocols and application systems for sealer penetration into dentinal tubules. Single-rooted-human teeth were divided into 5 experimental groups (n = 15) and a control group (n = 5), according to final irrigation protocols: standard needle irrigation (SNI); Vibringe; Vibringe + NaviTip FX (Vibringe NFX); Endo Spray (ES); and passive-ultrasonic-irrigation (PUI). Following obturation of the root canals, the percentage of the sealer penetration was measured at different depths using stepwise CLSM analysis...

In this study, the change in the amounts the gunshot residues (GSR) collected by the "swab" method from shooter's right hand was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to test dependency on various conditions (such as skin color of the shooter, various physical properties, hair density of hands, size of the hands, sweaty or creamy (oiliness) hands). As a result of the analysis, there was no significant difference in the amount of GSR according to skin color, however, there was a change in the amount of GSR depending on the physical characteristics of the shooter...

Honey is a valuable food produced by bees from sugary substances that they gather in nature. The transformation the nectar into honey, by bees, is long and complex. Except for honey, where heavy metals are absent or are found only in traces, the bees and their products have always been considered excellent biomarkers of such contaminants. We have assumed that the absence of heavy metals in honey is due to the presence of a detoxification system in the digestive system of bees, which involves metallothioneins, proteins that have a role in the homeostatic control of essential and non-essential metals...

The chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, is a serious pest of numerous important vegetable and ornamental crops. Various signals, especially phytochemical cues, determine the behavior of the phytophagous thrips at host selection. The sensory abilities of S. dorsalis are poorly understood although the antennae of adult are known to possess important sensory structures in orther insects. In this study, the morphology, distribution, and ultrastructure of the antennal sensilla of the S. dorsalis were examined by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy...

A bio-micromanipulation system is designed for manipulating micro-objects with a length scale of tens or hundreds of microns based on stereo light microscope. The world coordinate reconstruction of points on the surface of micro-objects is an important goal for the micromanipulation. Traditional pinhole camera model is applied widely in macrocomputer vision. However, this model will output bad data with remarkable error if it is directly used to reconstruct three-dimensional world coordinates for stereo light microscope...

The present study investigated the regenerative potential of connective tissues harvested from two palatal areas widely used as donor sites for muco-gingival surgical approaches. Connective tissue grafts (CTGs) were obtained by de-epithelialisation of a free gingival graft (deCTG) and by a split flap approach from a previous donor site (reCTG). Two types of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) were isolated and were named de-epithelialised MSCs (deMSCs) and re-entry MSCs (reMSCs). The cells were characterised and cellular functionality was investigated...

The egg capsules of five systellognathan stoneflies species representing the genus Isoperla (Plecoptera, Perlodidae) have been investigated using light and electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). We consider the structural modifications of egg coverings (egg capsules, eggshells) like: a shape of a capsule, presence of structures fixing an egg to the substratum under water, intrachorionic aeropylar system facilitating gas exchange as a factor adapting an egg/embryo to the environment. The structures protecting eggs against desiccation during a female flight before oviposition into water as well as against the dangers of external mechanical injury caused by turbulences in rapid water currents of mountain streams are described and discussed...

The objective of the present study was to compare cleaning methods for delicate insect specimens for investigations with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As typical specimens we used aquatic larvae of mosquitoes, springtails, larvae of mayflies and caterpillars because they are very fragile and large parts of their body consist of soft tissue. Additionally their cuticle is very often covered with dirt, soil particles or other materials. Cleaning with ultrasonic sound, as the most common cleaning method used for SEM, will destroy fragile insects...

Radiation beam interface contrast X-ray microscopy provides resolution of a few dozen nanometers from fixed whole muscle biopsies, allowing better reconstruction of the microstructure of the muscle than is currently possible with classic histological techniques. Fixed soleus muscle biopsies have been evaluated from the walk-in mouse model using phase-contrast X-ray microscopy, and results presented that corroborate the accuracy of the method used, and its potential for application in physiotherapy and occupational therapy studies...

Present scanning electron microscope study, reports healing of excised skin wounds in Cirrhinus mrigala. Healing process of wounds, inflicted on head skin, using biopsy punch was observed at intervals-0 hour (h), 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 h, 1 day (d) 2 and 4 d. Accumulation of mucus in wound region within 1h after infliction of wound has been considered an immediate measure to provide protection to injured skin from microbial invasion and other external environmental hazards. On infliction of wound, mobilization of epithelial cells at wound edge is associated with disturbance of coaptive relationship of epithelial cells till original coaptive stability is reached...

Canine mammary gland tumors represent the second most frequent type of neoplasm in dogs, being an important problem within veterinary medical field. Canine mixed mammary tumors are the most common; the use of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) can contribute as a tool in its diagnosis by determining the characteristics of cellular components from numerous neoplasms. The aim of this study was to characterize cytologically canine mammary mixed tumor by the use of the TEM. A biopsy collected from an 11 years old bitch Shih-Tzu and analyzed by histopathology was used for ultrastructural analysis...

In the current work, irregular morphology of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria has been visualized by phase retrieval employing off-axis electron holography (EH) and 3D reconstruction electron tomography using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). Bacteria interacting with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) acquired a shrunken or irregular shape due to air dehydration processing. STEM imaging shows the attachment of AuNP on the surface of cells and suggests an irregular 3D morphology of the specimen...

Bioceramics are being used in experimental bone engineering application in association with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) as a new therapeutic tool, but their effects on the ultrastructure of BM-MSCs are yet unknown. In this study we report the morphological features of ovine (o)BM-MSCs cultured with Skelite, a resorbable bioceramic based on silicon stabilized tricalcium phosphate (SiTCP), able to promote the repair of induced bone defect in sheep model. oBM-MSCs were isolated from the iliac crest, cultured until they reached near-confluence and incubated with SiTCP...